Microwave multiplexers retain form factor to scale up to 67GHz
Microwave multiplexers in PXI, PXIe and LXI formats enable engineers to scale up performance in the same test system footprint, says Pickering Interfaces.
The higher frequency PXI/PXIe multiplexers (model 40/42-785C) and LXI multiplexers (models 60-800 and 60-803) maintain the same physical dimensions as existing lower frequency products, for users to upgrade to 67GHz products while maintaining the same slot count/rack height within their test systems.
Pickering’s range of microwave multiplexers is now available with a maximum frequency of 67GHz in both SP4T and SP6T form factors. The introduction of the PXIe format includes the entire range from 3GHz to 67GHz.
According to Pickering’s switching product manager, Steve Edwards, key applications for the higher frequency microwave multiplexer modules are ATE systems for aerospace, military and automotive radar, high-frequency communications, 5G telecommunications and semiconductor test.
The 40/42-785C and 60-800 and 60-803 67GHz multiplexers are available in unterminated SP4T & SP6T forms using the SMA-1.85 connector interface. The components exhibit virtually identical performance up to 50GHz compared to existing 50GHz switches, says Pickering Interfaces. This helps to maintain performance characteristics for legacy test systems that were previously based on 50GHz components. In addition, the relays used in Pickering’s 67GHz multiplexers have the same life expectancy, 2M operations, as lower frequency products from the company, adding that this is twice that of competitors’ products.
The 67GHz SP4T and SP6T relays can also be specified in Pickering’s Turnkey LXI microwave switch and signal routing sub systems. Test engineers can specify the required mix of switch types (e.g. SPDT, transfer), frequency and interconnection, and any non-switching RF products to create a custom solution for a specific testing requirement.
The microwave multiplexer modules will be demonstrated at Pickering’s booth (1841) at the International Microwave Symposium, 8 to 10 June in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and at the virtual event which runs from 20 to 25 June.
